American hostel bunks are not only bigger but they are also more comfortable than anything I’ve ever slept on in a YHA. Not surprisingly, I slept late and crept out without disturbing the others. Downstairs I met Catherine, who was also heading for the Willis Tower so we set out together. A huge queue had already formed but moved rapidly once the doors were opened. As it was Labour Day I think all the visitors to the city had made it their first port of call as the queue had vanished by the time we came back down. The views from the top were stunning with sun breaking through broken cloud and shining on Lake Michigan. The lake is so huge that, even from 1,400 feet the far side was not visible. To all intents and purposes it is a sea. My courage failed at the Skydeck where a glass floored projection enables you to step out and look straight down but lots of people seemed completely unconcerned about it.
At this point I breakfasted courtesy of Macdonalds; coffee and an bacon/egg/cheese bagel. Within ten minutes I felt as if I was about to throw up and the feeling persisted until I was back at the Hostel. Here the WiFi was working as fast as it was slow last night and after three hours of steady work I had almost got this journal up to date. After this it was necessary to retrace yesterday’s steps as some of the details had become hazy. I also tried (unsuccessfully) to find a post office to dispatch a growing batch of postcards. Back at the Cloud Gate things were still lively with a large crowd leaping around to rap music. Note the lady in the USA costume!
The adjacent Pritzker Pavilion was being set up for a concert and the open grass space behind the seating was filling up rapidly. I negotiated the overhead metro system. It’s an ingenious system with most of the lines circuiting the Loop before heading off in various directions but I found it difficult to know which side of the track to be on. It didn’t seem possible to simply ride around the loop which would be like a mini circle line above ground. Perhaps they should make it possible.
Chicago has a unique take on begging. Every time you stop and consult your map somebody springs from nowhere to set you on your way. It is all done with a friendly manner but a cup is held out for your loose change. The last person actually asked me if my donation was all I had. I replied that it was all he was going to get. Given that coins below a quarter seem to have no practical use other than tipping I don’t mind giving it away but it doesn’t seem appropriate to offer dollars for this unwanted service however pleasantly it is done. After all, I can read the map!
Choosing the certainty of the postal service I’ve spent most of the day looking for a post office in which to launch my postcards home. Nobody I asked seemed to know where one was. At least, not within easy walking distance. Late on I saw a metal rubbish bin on the pavement and was just about to drop stuff into the slot when the faint but clear writing alerted me to the fact that my search was over and that collections were far more frequent than in the UK. So, in the USA post boxes are an indeterminate shade of blue and look like rubbish bins.
Back at the hostel Rick was up and about having caught up on his sleep. I know what it is like running a fieldtrip in the UK for a week doing all the driving so this must be much more stressful in some ways. The group may be adults but the journeys are longer and he has all the housekeeping and entertainment options to run as well. As he was going to the trailer I helped him with the ice and recovered my damp items which are now washed and in the drier. He has decided that he can snore louder than me so I asked for independent verification from the two independent witnesses in the room; Callum and Paul (both British). They said there was no snoring at all so the competition is a draw so far!! All jobs done it’s time to find some food before adding pictures to the blog. Now I must keep on top of events day by day. WiFi may be scarce from now on but I can at least keep the record of events going.
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